Mt. Neko

Mount Neko (Nekodake, 2,207 m) sits on the border of Ueda City and Suzaka City in Nagano Prefecture, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
A gentle peak rising north of Sugadaira Highland, its appeal lies in the alpine flower meadows that earned it a place among the Flower 100 Mountains, and the sweeping ridge that runs on to neighbouring Mount Azumaya. The usual day hike, beginner-to-intermediate, goes up to the summit and back from Sugadaira Pasture, and a circuit with Mount Azumaya is also popular.
For public-transport access, take a bus from Ueda Station (JR / Shinano Railway) to Sugadaira-Kogen Davos.

The trailhead is Sugadaira Pasture (about 1,500 m), with parking, a shop and toilets. The main route is Sugadaira Pasture → birch forest → Mount Neko (2,207 m) and back, an intermediate route with a standard time of about 4 hours. It is gentle and easy to walk all the way to the summit, with alpine flowers in summer and wide views of the Northern Alps and Mount Azumaya from the top.
The best season is early summer to autumn (June–October); in winter it becomes a ski area with snow. Always check the latest bus times and trail conditions before you go.

*Last checked: June 6, 2026

1. [Outbound] Ueda Station → Sugadaira-Kogen Davos · Sugadaira Pasture (Ueda Bus)

Ueda Station on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano Railway is your base. Take an Ueda Bus from the station to Sugadaira-Kogen Davos, then walk or take a taxi to the Sugadaira Pasture trailhead.

Bus timetable ①: Ueda Station → Sugadaira-Kogen Davos (Ueda Bus)

Access to Sugadaira Pasture: from Sugadaira-Kogen Davos it is about 40 minutes on foot to the Sugadaira Pasture trailhead.

Taxi: a direct taxi from Ueda Station to Sugadaira Pasture is also available (Ueda Taxi 0268-22-0055).

By car: there is a paid car park at Sugadaira Pasture (separate entry fee). It is about 40 minutes from the Ueda-Sugadaira IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.

References: [Ueda Bus] ／ [Sugadaira Highland Tourism]

2. [Return] Sugadaira-Kogen Davos → Ueda Station (Ueda Bus)

After the descent, return from Sugadaira Pasture to Sugadaira-Kogen Davos and take an Ueda Bus back to Ueda Station.

Bus timetable ②: Sugadaira-Kogen Davos → Ueda Station (Ueda Bus)

References: [Ueda Bus] ／ [Sugadaira Highland Tourism]

Trail Guide and Safety Notes

Route: Sugadaira Pasture → Azumaya rest hut → birch forest → Mount Neko (2,207 m) and back. The standard time is about 4 hours, an intermediate route. For strong walkers, the circuit Mount Neko → Ōsukima → Mount Azumaya → Naka-Azumaya → Sugadaira Pasture (about 6–7 hours) is also popular. It is gentle and easy even for beginners.

Ridge and weather notes: the summit area is above the tree line, with bamboo grass and gravel — watch for strong wind and lightning. The Neko–Azumaya circuit has some narrow ridge sections, so switch to an out-and-back in bad weather rather than pushing on.

Flowers and seasons: as a Flower 100 Mountain, summer brings meadows of alpine flowers such as grass-of-Parnassus. The summit gives views of the Northern Alps, Mount Asama and Mount Azumaya. In winter it becomes a ski area and the trail is under snow.

Equipment and emergencies: carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS and plenty of food. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Ueda Police Station 0268-22-0110

Photo by Naganojmmmm / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0